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By Lisa Moore
Armed with Weed Wrenches, gloves and determination, a group of volunteers started an invasive species abatement effort around the vernal pool located in the North 40 land along Turner Road. This first of several planned cleanup efforts targeting the invasive species Euonymus alatus, commonly known as burning bush.
The deciduous shrub, native to China, Japan, and Korea grows over eight feet tall and often spreads wider than it is tall. It develops tiny flowers in May to June that turn into tiny dangling red berries. These berries are eaten by birds that spread the seeds, allowing this invasive species to proliferate and choke out native plants. Commonly used as an ornamental shrub, its import and sale is prohibited in the states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Resident Bill Giezentanner led the charge, joined by Lise Olney, Vice President of the Natural Resources Commission, Pete Jones, Carl Sciple of the Wetlands Protection Committee, and residents Carol Dover and Elissa Landre. The group worked from 4 - 6:30 p.m. last week and made significant inroads in its effort to remove invasive species around the vernal pool that threaten to alter this important habitat.
Dry summer conditions left the pool completely dried, which is a normal part of the vernal pool’s annual cycle. This gave the volunteers access to both the invasive species as well as trash dumped into the vernal pool, such as hockey nets, bicycle parts, and general refuse. With the help of the Wellesley DPW, a large pile of debris was removed. Bill Giezentanner hopes to eradicate the burning bush around the vernal pool with several more volunteer cleanup efforts.
Looking ahead, Brandon Schmitt, Director of Wellesley Natural Resources Commission, mentioned that the cleanup efforts will continue. After the successful removal of the burning bush is completed, the NRC will focus its efforts on removing other invasive species, such as Oriental bittersweet vine and Japanese knotweed. The cleanup efforts are a part of the continuing project to revitalize the vernal pool habitat, allowing native species to flourish. One long-term goal is to provide opportunities for educational exploration of the vernal pool and pursue the construction of a boardwalk around a portion of it, allowing visitors and educators access to study this unique habitat.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the continued invasive species abatement efforts may contact the NRC at www.wellesleyma.gov.
